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"Well, there is lots of "knowledge" that is called Apostolic Tradition. I do trust that which was later written down in the Bible. Writings after that have to pass the same test that any other teaching has to pass unto this day and forward. I cannot trust later writers automatically based only on their say so and their "pedigree"."
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I couldn't agree more!

Over an over again we are told to rely on the written WORD. The Berean's in Acts 17:11 "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the SCRIPTURES every day to see if what Paul said was true."
In this case I think we are being told to not only rely on the written WORD but to also hold church leaders accountable to not teach false doctrine.

I think an even more powerful example of how important it is to trust SCRIPTURE ALONE is found in Matthew 15: 6-9 "Thus you nullify the WORD of GOD for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isiah was right when he prophesied about you:
These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men."

I think most of the controversial practices in the Roman Catholic Church can be traced to their "Tradition."

In this case [Acts 17:11] I think we are being told to not only rely on the written WORD but to also hold church leaders accountable to not teach false doctrine.

Yes, absolutely. All fallible humans must always be held accountable for their teachings as they stand (or do not) against scripture. My pastor has said many times, in effect, that he would WANT us to throw him out on his ear if he ever started teaching in contradiction to scripture. :)

I think an even more powerful example of how important it is to trust SCRIPTURE ALONE is found in Matthew 15: 6-9

I think I know what our Catholic friends would say about this, :) but I am fully with you that this is one of many, many passages that supports looking to the written word first. We would say look to it only.